Elon Musk Launches Starlink Satellite Internet Service in Indonesia

Updated: May 20 2024 15:51
Elon Musk, the visionary entrepreneur behind Tesla and SpaceX, has launched Starlink satellite internet service in Indonesia, the world's largest archipelago nation. The launch ceremony took place on Sunday, May 19, 2024, at a community health clinic in Denpasar, the provincial capital of Bali, where Musk was greeted with a garland of flower petals.



Indonesia, with its vast archipelago of 17,000 islands spanning across three time zones and a population of over 270 million, has long been grappling with the challenge of providing reliable internet connectivity to its remote regions. The country has been trying to secure deals with Musk's companies, Tesla and SpaceX, to address this issue and bring fast internet to underserved areas.


Indonesian Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin, second from left, and Elon Musk, second from right, sign an agreement on enhancing connectivity at a public health center in Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia on Sunday, May 19, 2024. Elon Musk arrived in Indonesia’s resort island of Bali to launch Starlink satellite internet service in the world’s largest archipelago nation. (AP Photo/Firdia Lisnawati)


During the launch ceremony, Musk conducted a speed test of the Starlink internet service with several health workers in Indonesia's remote regions, including Aru, one of the country's unserved and outermost islands in Maluku province. Musk emphasized the potential of Starlink to be a lifesaver for remote medical clinics and a game-changer for education:

If you can access the internet, then you can learn anything, and you can also sell your business services worldwide. So, I think it's going to be incredibly beneficial

Musk also signed an agreement with the Indonesian government to enhance connectivity in the country's health and education sectors. Although details of the agreement between the government and SpaceX were not provided, it aligns with Starlink's broader mission of providing affordable access to high-speed internet services, particularly in underserved and remote regions.


Coordinating Minister of Maritime and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, a close ally of President Joko Widodo, emphasized the importance of Starlink in expanding high-speed internet services to remote regions, especially to help with problems in the health, education, and maritime sectors.


Communication and Informatics Minister Budi Arie Setiadi explained that local internet providers, relying on base transceiver stations to transmit signals, are unable to reach outer islands due to limited coverage. Starlink's low-orbit satellites will help deliver faster internet with nationwide coverage.


Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin highlighted that out of the more than 10,000 clinics across Indonesia, around 2,700 still lack internet access. The internet can open up better access to health services by enabling easier communication between regions and real-time reporting from health service facilities.


In addition to the Starlink launch, Musk is scheduled to participate in the 10th World Water Forum during his visit to Bali. The forum seeks to address global water and sanitation challenges, further demonstrating Musk's commitment to tackling pressing issues beyond technology.


Musk's visit to Indonesia comes on the heels of recent visits by Apple CEO Tim Cook and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, who expressed interest in investing in the country's digital infrastructure. Indonesia, under President Widodo, has been promoting the development of the digital technology and information sectors, aiming to achieve the government's Golden Indonesia 2045 Vision. The country aspires to become one of the world's top five economies with a GDP of up to $9 trillion by the time it celebrates its centennial of independence from Dutch colonizers.

The launch of Starlink satellite internet service in Indonesia marks a significant step towards bridging the digital divide and empowering remote communities with access to reliable internet connectivity. As Indonesia continues to embrace digital transformation, initiatives like Starlink will play a crucial role in shaping the nation's future and ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital age.